BCEAA reviews year’s progress

April 22, 2013

MARTINSBURG - As the Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority looks toward its needs for the upcoming fiscal year, the organization has reported on its progress during 2012-13.

BCEAA responded to 7,800 calls from Central Dispatch that resulted in 5,500 transportations. The BCEAA is an emergency service only and does not do routine transports.

Although the emergency ambulance authority received a new ambulance in March, Gary Collis, program manager for BCEAA, said the ambulance fleet continually needs new ambulances to maintain working efficiency.

"Rolling stock is aging and wearing out. We need to acquire three units every two years," Collis said. "We have purchased three new units in probably the last 18-24 months. That's helped the fleet a great deal. We run somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-11 units in the entire county."

Along with adding additional vehicles, Collis said BCEAA committees, along with the Berkeley County volunteer fire departments, are discussing staffing additional volunteer stations with career staff members.

Both the Hedgesville fire station and the Bedington fire substation contain BCEAA career staff members. Although county demand is rising, Collis said the additional calls are being covered with the increased staff.

Currently the BCEAA has collected 90 percent of its estimated revenue, $3,321,256, on track with where it was last year.

The total budget for the organization in 2012-13 is $3,705,000. The budget for the upcoming fiscal year will remain the same.

Collis said the BCEAA will not be asking for a raise in ambulance fees for the foreseeable future.